Right-hander Luarbert Arias struck out six over six shutout innings in his second Northwest League start, but Hillsboro managed a ninth-inning rally in a 2-1 victory over short-season Tri-City on Monday night.
The Hops lead the best-of-five finals, 2-1.
Arias allowed only a hit and a walk in the start.
Right-hander Angel Acevedo pitched the final three innings, giving up a two-run homer in the ninth to take the loss.
Tri-City put together a rally of its own in the ninth, shaving its deficit to a run on left fielder Jack Stronach’s RBI groundout.
The tying and go-ahead runs were on second and third base when Luke Becker struck out looking to end the game.